By Our Reporter
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, on Thursday underscored mentoring as the most powerful and enduring form of legacy within academia.
The deputy governor made this declaration as he celebrated the retirement and 70th birthday of a distinguished scholar, Abimbola Yisau Sangodoyin, a Professor of Agricultural Engineering, University of Ibadan (UI).
Dr. Hamzat stated this in his Keynote Address at the Valedictory Programme of the Retirement of Professor Sangodoyin, with the theme, "Effective Mentoring as a Veritable Means of Sustaining Legacies: A Case Study of Prof. Abimbola Yisau Sangodoyin," held at the Faculty of Technology Lecture Theatre of the University of Ibadan.
The deputy governor, who expressed delight for being part of the retirement and 70th birthday celebrations of Prof. Sangodoyin, described the scholar as a great man, saying that he had no doubt been an enigmatic personality who had modelled and mentored engineering students and others for over four decades, both within the University of Ibadan, and beyond.
"I am highly delighted to be part of the retirement and 70th birthday celebrations of Professor Abimbola Yisau Sangodoyin, a great man indeed. No doubt, Prof. has been an enigmatic personality who has modelled and mentored engineering students and others for over four decades, both within the University of Ibadan, Nigeria’s premier university, and outside of this great institution," Hamzat said.
He added that mentoring is essential because it helps the mentee grow personally or professionally, fostering trust, open communication, and goal achievement, noting that mentoring is a flexible, often informal, partnership focused on long-term development, offering practical insights, support, and sometimes opening doors, benefiting both individuals involved.
Speaking on the aptness of the theme, the deputy governor described mentoring as a developmental relationship in which a more experienced individual shares knowledge, skills and guidance with a less experienced person to foster personal and professional growth.
This was as he cited that the concept of mentoring is rooted in classical history, referencing the figure of Mentor in ancient Greek literature who was entrusted with the responsibility of guiding and advising a young learner.
"In academia, the most dynamic and transformative legacy is not built on stone but in people. It is reflected in the confidence of former students who now lead organisations, the ethical judgement of professionals navigating difficult decisions, and the passion of young educators standing before their first class," he said.
The deputy governor, while describing the celebrant as an influential personality who had modelled and mentored engineering students and other professionals for over forty years, further described Sangodoyin as an exceptional academic whose four decades of scholarship and mentorship had shaped generations of engineers, scholars, and professionals within and beyond the university community.
He noted that the professor had a unique ability to identify potential and nurture it, reiterating that effective mentoring begins with recognizing talent and guiding it toward excellence.
Besides, the deputy governor further applauded his approach to mentorship, which allowed his students to develop independent ideas while maintaining rigorous academic standards.
In his goodwill message, the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, who was represented by his Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, described Professor Sangodoyin as not only a scholar of international repute but also a mentor, a visionary thinker, and a leader of people.
Governor Zulun added that his legacy was not only reflected in the numerous papers he had published or the academic programs he had helped establish, but also in the countless lives he had shaped and inspired through his teaching and guidance.
His words, "For his immense contributions to knowledge, scholarship, and humanity, we celebrate him with deep respect and appreciation. We are proud to be among the many students and scholars who have benefited from his wisdom and mentorship."
Also, in his goodwill message, the 10th Vice-Chancellor, Prof. O.A. Bamiro, described Prof. Sangodoyin as a trustworthy, dependable, and selfless individual whose dedication to academia and mentorship had left a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike.
Bamiro further highlighted that Sangodoyin's commitment extends beyond his professional duties, saying that he embodied integrity, humility, and a genuine concern for the growth and success of those around him.
According to him, his leadership, guidance, and unwavering support continue to inspire excellence and foster an environment where both scholarship and character flourish.
Similarly, a professor Emeritus, Canon Emmanuel Babajide Lucas, commended the celebrant for impacting academia positively at the university, adding that his selflessness had positioned the university well, especially the engineering department.
In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Technology, Prof. Adeleke Isaac Bamgboye, noted that the celebrant, Abimbola Yisau Sangodoyin, had made immense contributions to the development of manpower within the engineering profession and the academic community.
He added that through decades of dedicated service, Prof. Sangodoyin had paid his dues to the Faculty and the university, leaving behind a remarkable record of scholarship, mentorship, and institutional commitment.
In his response, Prof. Sangodoyin urged lecturers/academicians to see beyond the classroom and impact lives and mentor the young generation.
This was just as he recalled that the support and mentorship he got during his younger days gave him the tools not only to excel academically, but also to contribute to the community and to the development of the University of Ibadan that he served.
"Over the years, I have had the privilege of learning from exceptional teachers and professors, including Professor Luca, among others.
"Their guidance helped me understand the deeper connections between knowledge, logic, and practical application, particularly in mathematics and other disciplines.
"These lessons have shaped my intellectual growth and prepared me to face each challenge with confidence and rigor," he stated.
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